Eviction of lodgers case: CJ urges settlement

Wasantha Ramanayake

The counsel in the rights applications against the eviction of Tamils from lodges yesterday moved for time to consider a settlement.

The rights cases were taken before the Supreme Court for hearing.

The court accordingly granted time till March 14, 2008 to consider a settlement. The court suggested the settlement.

Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, PC, in view of the interim order and the apology extended by the Prime Minister to the persons who had been evicted suggested that the counsel consider a settlement.

The Chief Justice noted that persons could not be evicted unless there are reasonable grounds and a judicial order. The court earlier granted an Interim Relief stopping the removal of Tamil lodgers in Colombo.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Ms. Shirani Thilakawardane and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

Three applications were filed by Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a NGO, seven people and a businessman who had been thus evicted and later taken back to Colombo by the Security Forces.

CPA filed case in the public interest. The other petitioners who were directly affected by the eviction complained that the forcible removal from the lodges in Colombo was in violation of their rights.

Intervening-petitioner M.G.M. Zurfick challenged the application on the basis that if the prayers were to be granted the security of the city, lives and property of its many a people would be at risk.

He argued that the persons who had been thus evacuated were less than 300 persons who had been unable to give any valid reason as to their stay in the lodges.

He further argued that the city was under constant threat from the LTTE and such persons posed a clear threat as there was a clear history of their involvement in LTTE attacks on the people and property.

K. Kanag Ishwaran PC with M.A. Sumanthrian with Viran Corea, Sharmaine Guneratne, Ermiza Tegal appeared for the petitioner CPA. J.C. Weliamuna appeared for the businessman. Additional Solicitor General Palitha Fernando appeared for the respondents.